Albums of 1999
The records from 1999 that made our lists.
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1MillenniumBackstreet Boys
Millennium
A blockbuster of polished boy-band pop, home to 'I Want It That Way'. Glossy and enormous. A landmark of the era.
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2RemedyBasement Jaxx
Remedy
A vibrant, maximalist house debut of carnival energy. Fun and influential. A dance landmark.
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313Blur
13
A more experimental, emotional turn shaped by heartbreak and Eno-esque texture. Adventurous and raw. A favourite among devotees.
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4We Are the RomansBotch
We Are the Romans
A chaotic, influential mathcore landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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5...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears
...Baby One More Time
A debut that defined late-90s teen pop, built around one of the era's most recognisable singles. Glossy and huge. A pop-culture landmark.
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6Keep It Like a SecretBuilt to Spill
Keep It Like a Secret
A melodic, guitar-driven indie peak of expansive songcraft. Warm and beloved. Their finest.
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7The Writing's on the WallDestiny's Child
The Writing's on the Wall
A blockbuster R&B peak, home to 'Say My Name'. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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8Calculating InfinityDillinger Escape Plan
Calculating Infinity
A chaotic, technical mathcore landmark. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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92001Dr. Dre
2001
A glossy, expensive-sounding return that proved Dre's production genius a second time, full of hits and immaculate beats. The guest list reads like a who's who. Polished West Coast perfection.
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10The Slim Shady LPEminem
The Slim Shady LP
The breakout, introducing his cartoonish alter ego over Dr. Dre production. Shocking and brilliant. The arrival of a phenomenon.
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11At the Heart of WinterImmortal
At the Heart of Winter
A frostbitten, epic black-metal peak. Powerful and beloved. A genre high point.
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12Operation: DoomsdayMF DOOM
Operation: Doomsday
The supervillain origin story, built from soul loops, cartoon samples and DOOM's tangled, brilliant wordplay. Lo-fi and singular. The foundation of his legend.
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13PlayMoby
Play
A blues-and-gospel-sampling electronica blockbuster that soundtracked an era. Warm and ubiquitous. A crossover landmark.
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14Black on Both SidesMos Def
Black on Both Sides
A rich, musical solo debut spanning conscious rap, soul and rock, full of warmth and ideas. Ambitious and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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15The FragileNine Inch Nails
The Fragile
A sprawling, ambitious double album of texture and despair, more layered than its predecessor. Dense and rewarding. A cult favourite.
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16Still LifeOpeth
Still Life
A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak of melody and heaviness. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.
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17Terror TwilightPavement
Terror Twilight
A polished, Nigel Godrich-produced final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A graceful close.
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18The Battle of Los AngelesRage Against the Machine
The Battle of Los Angeles
A polished, furious peak of rap-metal fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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19CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers
Californication
A melodic, reflective comeback after years of turmoil, their most song-focused record. Warm and massive. A late-90s staple.
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20Agaetis byrjunSigur Rós
Agaetis byrjun
An ethereal, glacial breakthrough of bowed guitar and falsetto, otherworldly and beautiful. Immersive and singular. The album that made them famous.
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21SlipknotSlipknot
Slipknot
A brutal, chaotic nu-metal debut of masked aggression. Heavy and influential. A genre landmark.
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22FanMailTLC
FanMail
A futuristic, hit-packed R&B peak, home to 'No Scrubs'. Polished and huge. A commercial high.
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23SurrenderThe Chemical Brothers
Surrender
A euphoric, song-focused big-beat peak, home to 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'. Polished and joyful. One of their best.
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24FlyThe Chicks
Fly
A hit-stuffed peak, home to 'Goodbye Earl'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.
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25Things Fall ApartThe Roots
Things Fall Apart
The Roots' breakthrough, live-band hip-hop of real depth and groove. Soulful and cohesive. Their most acclaimed record.
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26Mule VariationsTom Waits
Mule Variations
A grizzled, junkyard-blues comeback of beauty and grime. Warm and acclaimed. A late peak.
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27Beaucoup FishUnderworld
Beaucoup Fish
A polished, melodic techno peak. Immersive and beloved. A high point.